The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar has announced the launch of two new academic programmes—a Master of Design (MDes) and a Master of Technology (MTech) in Maritime Engineering—from the 2026–27 academic session, signalling a strategic push towards emerging domains and industry-aligned education.

Building on its Design and Innovation Centre, the MDes programme aims to blend design thinking with engineering, technology, and social sciences. According to the institute, the course is designed to strengthen systems thinking and foster collaborative problem-solving skills, equipping students to tackle complex, real-world challenges.

In parallel, the MTech in Maritime Engineering will focus on key areas such as port and ocean infrastructure, logistics, and regulatory frameworks. The programme also seeks to address critical gaps in maritime education, particularly in Gujarat—one of India’s busiest hubs for port activity and cargo movement.

The institute’s academic expansion reflects a broader focus on high-impact sectors expected to shape technological growth over the next decade, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, healthcare technologies, and sustainability.

Further strengthening its academic ecosystem, IIT Gandhinagar has partnered with leading institutions to offer dual-degree programmes. These collaborations include the Indian Institute of Science, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology Surat, National Institute of Technology Agartala, and the Indian Space Research Organisation – Space Applications Centre.

Both new programmes will emphasise interdisciplinary coursework, industry partnerships, and project-based learning. Students will also engage in semester-long stints with industries, research labs, and startups, enabling hands-on experience while earning academic credits.

Highlighting the institute’s evolving academic direction, Director Rajat Moona said higher education must go beyond disciplinary depth to focus on the application of knowledge in complex, real-world contexts.

“As we look at the next decade, the role of higher education institutions must extend beyond disciplinary depth to shaping how knowledge is applied in complex, real-world contexts. At IIT Gandhinagar, this has meant consciously expanding into areas such as design and maritime engineering, where the challenges are inherently interdisciplinary and systems-driven,” he said.

He added that the MDes programme represents a shift towards integrating creativity with engineering and social understanding, enabling students to address problems requiring both analytical rigour and human-centred thinking.